Half Bottles

Expert Review - Vintage 2022

James Suckling 90 Points | A prototypical unoaked white Macon that’s simultaneously fresh and creamy on the medium-bodied palate, with plenty of crisp pear and touches of acacia blossoms and fresh pineapple. Very clean and animating finish that pulls you back for more.

Expert Review 

Jeb Dunnuck writes:  The 2023 Châteauneuf Du Pape Domaine Du Vieux Lazaret Blanc is a classic blend of 59% Clairette, 35% Grenache Blanc, 5% Bourboulenc, and the rest Roussanne. This vibrant, well-made, medium-bodied white has a great nose of crushed lemon and lime fruit as well as mint, garrigue, and sappy flower-like nuances. It picks up a beautiful sense of salty minerality with time in the glass and is well worth your time and money.  - Jeb Dunnuck 91

James Suckling writes:  A precise, layered and attractive Chateauneuf with aromas of sliced apples, warm herbs, anise, stones and wildflowers. It’s medium-bodied with a succulent development on the palate. There’s a subtle texture, with notes of herbs, flowers, bitter almonds and fresh green pears. Plenty of patina and precision, with a long, flavorful finish. Drink or hold.  - James Suckling 93

Winemaker Description 

Clay soils formed from the decomposition of the limestone mother rock and on soils of a sandy texture.

Easily the best wine for pairing with Lobster but also delicious with other seafood, puff-pastries, white meats, or goat cheeses.

Expert Review - Vintage 2020

James Suckling 93 Points | This has a toasty character with hints of cardamom, cloves and crushed walnuts with ripe red fruit, plum skins and red flowers in the background. It’s full-bodied with firm, chalky tannins and steady acidity to give it freshness. A little bit of toasted oak at the end. Lengthy and spiced with a crunchy finish. Better after 2025.

Jeb Dunnuck 90 Points |  The medium red 2020 Chianti Classico Riserva Ducale is inviting with aromas of poppy red cherry, dusty earth, roses, and orange peel. Medium-bodied and juicy all the way through, this is an easygoing quaffer with a kiss of sweet tannins that are fine-grained all the way through the finish. It keeps good freshness for this hot vintage and has some warmth on the finish. It’s a versatile wine for pizza night or drinking on its own over the next few years. 

Winemaker Description 

Intense ruby red. Aroma: This complex wine is characterized by cherry and violet notes with delicate hints of tobacco, white pepper, and a touch of flint. Tasting profile: Riserva Ducale Chianti Classico Riserva is well balanced on the palate, with velvety tannins, firm acidity, and a lingering finish of rosemary. Its structure will allow it to age for two to five years, if not longer.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2020

The Wine Advocate 90 Points | Significantly impacted by its elevated Syrah content, Guigal's 2020 Cotes du Rhone boasts expressive aromas of blackberries and blueberries, backed by ample black cherries. It's full-bodied yet supple and fluid, easy to drink and enjoy, with enough black olive and earth notes to ground it and keep it from being a simple fruit bomb.

Decanter 90 Points | Modern, lifted and a bit heady, but attractive and evocative. Black cherry inkiness segues into a dense palate where all the fruit is crammed into a structured body with drying tannins. Herbs and stones hemmed in by a firm grip. A good all rounder. 

Winemaker Description 

Deep and dark red. On the nose intensely aromatic, with black fruits and spices. The palate is full, round and sexy. Round and smooth tannins present through the full bodied, ample wine. Overall a complete wine, with a long finish, with elegance and finesse accompanying the abundance of fruit and well-balanced tannins.

Winemaker Description 

The Vitallis Pouilly Fuisse has great concentration on the nose, reflecting the old vines. Intense aromas of dried fruits, Acacia, nuts and honey. Very long in the mouth with elegant, but ripe flavors, minerality and spiciness. 

Winemaker Description 

Vermouth di Torino is a collective heritage of Piedmont, which sees in the royal Savoy court as first big promoter of a product which, mainly starting from the late XVIII century, generated a flourishing industry which led Piedmont to become the Kingdom of Vermouth. 

Notes of cocoa, rhubarb, dandelion, caramel, and orange peel deliver a rich and refined character.

Expert Review - Vintage 2018 

Wine Spectator 91 Points | A powerful red, with savory eucalyptus, tobacco and tomato leaf aromas and flavors offset by cherry and plum notes. Beefy tannins set the stage for a lingering, grainy finish. Best from 2024 through 2033. -- Bruce Sanderson (2018).

Winemaker Description

In the glass it shows intense garnet red reflections. On the nose aromas of small red fruits, strawberries and currants. Then pomegranate and the unmistakable violet scent of good Sangiovese. In the background a touch of vanilla, sweet spices and licorice. The palate is well balanced with hints of ripe cherries and plums, supported by precise and elegant tannins. The body is warm and enveloping with a long and persistent finish. Winemaker Description. 

Winemaker Description

The Amarone is considered a top wine in Veneto. Its incredible aromas derive from the strict selection of the grape material of the grape varieties Corvino, Rondinella and Sangiovese. After drying for 4 months on straw mats and fermenting these particularly concentrated grapes, the 30 months are aged in French and Slavonian oak. Only after another year on the bottle does the Amarone leave the Zenato family winery on Lake Garda.

The Amarone della Valpolicella Classico from Zenato is made from grapes from the classical Valpolicella region and is the jewel in the wine production of the Zenato family.

This Italian red wine presents itself dark red, almost black in the glass. It overwhelms in the best way with voluminous elegance, dense, multi-layered aromas and a beautiful balance of fruit and tannin. A phenomenal length makes this Amarone irresistible. An exceptional red wine at an amazingly low price.

Winemaker Description

Grgich Hills Estate Fumé Blanc will tantalize your senses with notes of green pepper, snap pea, lime and star fruit. On the front palate, enjoy the fresh fruit flavors of lemon, lime, and green apple supported by an undertone of sea salt.

This wine's chiseled texture, linear acidity, and long finish make it the perfect pairing with filet of sole, pork loin and savory goat cheese.

Expert Review

91 Points James Suckling | Aromas of wet stone, sliced peach and fresh flowers. Medium- to full-bodied with citrus acidity and fresh stone fruit. A little phenolic tension here, too, with refreshing tannins at the finish. 

Expert Review - Vintage 2022

James Suckling 91 Points | Candied cherries, sweet cranberries and a touch of stewed herbs. Lightly chewy in terms of tannins, with a fluid center palate and a medium-length finish. A bit overripe, but approachable. A good, simple Chateauneuf that shows early appeal.

Winemaker Description

The nose is warm and shows an attractive complexity characterized by understated red fruit and spice along with leather and tertiary notes. The palate is composed and lighter in weight, exhibiting a mix of red cherry and spice. There is a fine, balanced structure. This is an elegant, not heavyweight style expressing Cinsault and Grenache in particular, with the emphasis on finesse rather than power.

Winemaker Description

Intense ruby red colour with violet nuances; intense, characteristic bouquet of the primary grape aromas; fruity component, full-bodied and robust, well-balanced with tannin and oak features. 

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2023

The Wine Spectator 91 Points | An expressive and distinctive white, showing plump flavors of Key lime pie, with apricot, peach and ripe melon notes. Freshly grated ginger, candied green apple and lemon verbena linger on the sleek, juicy finish.

Winemaker Description

The careful selection of grapes from vineyards in Monterey, Napa and Lake Counties yields an excellent Sauvignon Blanc. This wine has great complexity and structure which balances the fruit and acidity.

Joel Gott sourced the fruit from the cool, coastal vineyards of Monterey which allow the grapes to mature slowly and develop intense citrus flavors with crisp minerality Combined with richer, more complex grapes from the sun-drenched Napa Valley, the blend evolves into a more structured, balanced wine.

Grapes from Lake County enhance the wine's acidity and heighten its tropical flavors. Together, these locales produce a wine with aromas of guava, watermelon, Meyer lemon and a long, juicy finish. Aging this well-balanced Sauvignon Blanc in stainless steel preserves the intense fruit aromas and flavors without the cloaking presence of malolactic fermentation.

The screw cap enclosure and the UV safe green glass package ensure that our wine maintains freshness throughout its life.

Winemaker Description

J.K. Carriere Vespidae Pinot Noir is garnet in color. The nose is super effusive cherry, hibiscus, grilled meat, tan spice and cracked pepper. The flavors are massive and present as a cherry and peach pie with a one-minute too brown crust. The structure is quietly lurking, but unobtrusive. 

Expert Review - Vintage 2019

James Suckling 92 Points | Aromas of sour cherries, plums, violets, cocoa, incense and baking spices. Medium-bodied with plush tannins and bright acidity. Fresh, textured and juicy with a bitter cocoa character. Flavorful finish with excellent length. Drink or hold.

Vinous 92 Points | Brilliant red. Ripe red fruit, floral and baking spice qualities on the nose, along with hints of sandalwood and musky herbs. Juicy and expansive on the palate, offering subtly sweet cherry cola and raspberry flavors that firm up through the back half. Shows fine clarity and energy on a persistent finish shaped by smooth, even tannins. 20% new French oak. Best after 2022. 

Winemaker Description 

Extra Dry vermouth was launched, with great international success, on New Year's Day in 1900. The Company had been experimenting with the production of dry vermouth since 1890 in some foreign countries, such as Cuba, in order to compete with the French "sec" vermouth. 

A straw colored vermouth with a sharper perfume, it reveals raspberry, lemon and the subtler hints of iris. This aromatic wine is dry without being bitter, with a white wine base it allows the aromas to come alive in the glass. 

Expert Review - Vintage 2021 

Antonio Galloni of Vinous writes 92 Points | The 2021 Chianti Classico Berardenga is boisterous and expressive right out of the glass. Dark fruit, earthiness, leather, spice and tobacco convey tons of Castelnuovo Berardenga character. The 2021 keeps getting better in the glass. It's a super-classic example of the house style and a wine readers should consider buying by the case. The Berardenga bottling can be a bit wild, but in 2021 has an added touch of sophistication that is undeniable. 

Winemaker Description 

The wine has a dark, ruby ​​red color. Its aromas offer a savory impression of candied fruit. The taste is harmonious, concentrated with a strong tannin content that allows good storage. When it comes to grape varieties, there is a clear predominance of Merlot grapes, which are complemented by Cabernet Franc and a little Cabernet Sauvignon.

A wine to accompany game and red meat with sauce.

Winemaker Description 

14 different herbs and spices are sourced all around the world to make Noilly Prat Extra Dry. Among them Chamomile, Coriander from Morocco, Bitter Oranges from Tunisia or Orris Root from Italy.

Noilly Prat Extra Dry is ideal for preparing a 50:50 Martini Cocktail.

Winemaker Description

The result of a long history, Burgundy and its wines are known worldwide. Pinot Noir is a native grape variety of the area. Bourgogne Pinot Noir is the regional appellation whose wines can come from any part of Burgundy. This wine exhibits the characteristics of the great red Burgundies.

Our Bourgogne Pinot Noir 2021 has a ruby color. Its nose reveals notes of blackcurrant buds. Its round and fresh palate offers notes of cherry for a soft finish.
Food Pairing: Grilled meat - mature cheeses. Winemaker Description.

Winemaker Description

Bright cherry and raspberry aromas complement notes of cinnamon and delicate violet, while the palate strikes a balance between juicy plum and boysenberry and complex, earthy cola and leather, finishing with chalky tannins and hints of crème brulée. 

Winemaker Description 

Certainly! The Herederos De Argueso Jerez-Xeres-Sherry Amontillado is a dry and nutty white wine from Andalucia, Spain. It has sharp peanutty aromas and a tawny color with hints of orange. On the palate, it offers sour citrus fruit flavors, burnt nuts, and cocoa, finishing dry and chalky. You can find it in a 375ml half bottle for around $25. It’s a delightful choice for those who appreciate intense, tangy flavors. 🍷🥜🍊

Argeso Amontillado is an exquisite fortified wine of subtlety and grace. On the nose, it unfurls a spectrum of delicate scents reminiscent of hazelnuts and aromatic herbs, with a distinctive hint of dark tobacco.

Upon tasting, its lightness astonishes, yet it retains a marked dryness and a complexity that unfolds gently. This Amontillado exemplifies the artful dance between simplicity and intricacy, presenting a sophisticated and approachable taste experience. 

Winemaker Description

Intense purple robe. Rich and fruity nose of ripe Merlot; chocolate and toasty oak flavors. Fresh red fruits with fresh strawberry notes, light spices, harmonious tannins, with exceptional freshness. It has all the characteristics of ageing potential and concentration. 

Expert Review

91 Points Wine Enthusiast | This estate claims a lineage dating back to the fourth century. The latest manifestation is rich, full and powerful. Dark in color and in bold tannins, it's rich with black-plum fruits and perfumed acidity. Drink this fine wine from 2026.

Expert Review - Vintage 2019 

Georgina Hindle writes:  Wonderfully aromatic and expressive on the nose - the aromas really just jump out the glass. So inviting. Juicy, red fruits - strawberries, raspberries and red cherries - quite bright and a nice change from the dark fruits. This is lively and fun, light with hints of spice underneath the fruit giving some structure and backbone. Hard not to like for its fruit-forwardness and easy drinking style. Though does have a spicy undertone which comes through on the finish?!  - Decanter 90

Jane Anson writes:  Touches of dried mushrooms on the nose, this has savoury tannins, soft blueberry and raspberry fruits, soft on the finish.  - Jane Anson Inside Bordeaux

Expert Review - Vintage 2023

James Suckling 91 Points | A silky, seductive and saline Côtes de Provence rosé with aromas of small berries, red currants and salt. It’s medium-bodied, succulent, fresh and playful, with a caressing texture and a vivid, saline finish. Drink now.

Winemaker Description 

Whispering Angel is a blend of Grenache, Rolle, Cinsault, Syrah, and Mourvedre grapes. Strikingly pale pink in color, the aromas are fresh and fruity. On the palate, it is bone dry through the finish. The name really suits the delicate nature of this wine.

Winemaker Description

Vinified in stainless steel, with just a hint of residual sugar, this wine vividly represents all that Mosel wine should be—fruity with vibrant acidity, clarity, and precision; all highlighted by intense slate-driven minerality. As an introduction to what one can glean from great Mosel wine, Selbach’s ‘Incline’ is incredible. 

Winemaker Description

This Malbec shows an intense, deep ruby red color. In the nose are aromas of berries, cherries, followed with notes of black pepper and light touches of vanilla and chocolate. On the palate, notes of plums and spices stand out with an impeccable structure and juiciness.

Expert Review - Vintage 2022

91 Points James Suckling | A tangy and fresh Gavi full of sliced apples, lemon zest and stones. Medium-bodied and textured on the palate with fresh, vibrant acidity and a pure, pithy finish. Drink now. 

Winemaker Description 

Bright yellow color, delicate bouquet of dried pineapple and peach. Full and rich in flavor, yet mineral and refreshing. Fine aromatic flavor to the end. 

Winemaker Description

Expert Reviews 

Wine Spectator 94 Points | Singed black sesame, rye, buckwheat honey, Black Forest cake and blackberry reduction notes form a large-scaled core, with a viscous texture and a long, palate-coating finish. A light echo of peanut toffee adds just enough cut on the finish.

Wine Enthusiast 94 Points |  Ripe aromas of apricot, raisin and chocolate offer complex notes of dried cheese and sweat, making this anything but usual and normal. A jacked palate is racy and untamed, with bright acidity that's uncommon for wines this sweet. Chocolate, cinnamon, nutmeg and coffee flavors carry an acidic balsamic note, while this remains bold, fiery and blasting on the finish. *Editor's Choice*

Wine Advocate 91 Points | The NV Noe Pedro Ximenez Muy Viejos VORS 30 Anos from sun-dried Pedro Ximenez grapes originates in the Nectar solera, and has a final average age of more than 30 years. The sugar level is 400 grams per liter. It has a different character and profile, more vinous than other PXs, it displays a volatile nose, with some minty, herbaceous and balsamic notes, intermixed with incense, ash and tar. The palate is extremely intense, velvety and round, with balanced sweetness, ending with a varnished note that lifts the wine up.

James Suckling 95 Points | To anyone who knows British Christmas pudding, the dense flavors of dried fruit, burnt sugar and spices will be nothing new. However, the sheer density of flavor will be something new to many, as will the stunning acidity at the finish.

Producer Description 

Bright topaz colour with gold and amber tints. Complex nose of orange flowers, combined with scents of candied zests and toffee. Bitter orange flavours that the cognac enhances with nuances of orange marmalade and hazelnuts. The finish is long and harmonious. 

Expert Review 

Wine Enthusiast 93 Points | Grand Marnier-or "GrandMa," as some cocktail geeks gleefully shorthand it-remains one of the classics. Although it's Cognac-based, it's a versatile match for other spirits, too. The liqueur is extremely aromatic, with lots of sweet and bitter orange notes exploding out of the glass. Look for a warm, honeyed flavor and a nice burst of orange peel and spicy cinnamon and ginger on the long finish. 

Expert Review - Vintage 2022 

92 Points Wine Enthusiast: Though the production level of this wine is rather massive, the quality does not suffer. Aromas of lemon chiffon cake and wet stone are engaging on the nose. The palate starts with a tantalizing acidity and stony texture, giving edge to the richer cream and vanilla-meringue flavors that arise by the finish.

Expert Review - Vintage 2022 

James Suckling 94 Points | Serious, well-driven and succulent, with forest berries, dried herbs, crushed stone and baking spices. Its medium-bodied with bright acidity. Intense and lively with plenty of verve and vitality. Sharp and focused with a long finish.

Jeb Dunnuck 94 Points | A blend of the five estate vineyards and always 100% Pinot Noir, the bright ruby red 2022 Pinot Noir Cumberland Reserve is fresh with aromas of pure red cherries, wildflowers, pure spice, and forest herbs. Medium-bodied, refined, and elegant, with bright acidity, it offers a finessed feel throughout its fine tannins and has a lovely lift of salty earth on the finish. Drink 2024-2034.

Wine Spectator 93 Points | Expressive and inviting, with multilayered raspberry, orange peel, rose petal and dusky spice flavors that finish with verve and sleek tannins.

Wine Advocate 92 Points | The 2022 Pinot Noir Cumberland Reserve has pure aromas of pomegranate, blackberry, underbrush and orange bitters. Chalky tannins and focused acidity drive a core of dark, earthy flavors in the mouth, and it has a long, spicy finish. 

Winemaker Description 

This Cabernet Sauvignon is the wine that started it all and set the exacting standards we hold ourselves to for all our varietals. Perfectly balanced and made to be shared, this California wine is round, juicy, and easily enjoy.

Blackberry, toasted hazelnut, and cinnamon, complemented by hints of vanilla and toasted oak.

Pairs well with well-seasoned beef, pork, lamb, or your favorite chocolate desserts.

Winemaker Description

Ripe cranberry and cassis on the nose. Focused dark bramble fruit on the palate, layered with cocoa and clove. Vibrant acidity balances beautifully with opulent fruit and carries through to a long and elegant finish.

Blend: 69% Zinfandel, 20% Carignane, 8% Petite Sirah, 2% Alicante Bouschet, 1% Mataro

Expert Ratings - Vintage 2020

96 Points Decanter | Enormously complex and full of personality. Lots of juiciness and briaryness, with notes of espresso, soy sauce and gaminess. Very rich, impressive and structured, 2020 was Ridge’s 55th consecutive vintage of Geyserville, a wine that many Ridge collectors consider the winery’s best Zinfandel blend. Its pedigree is uncontested. Made from old vines, some of which are more than 125 years old and 60% of which are 50 years old or older, leading of course to tiny yields. A historic field blend of approximately 69% Zinfandel, 20% Carignane, 8% Petite Sirah, 2% Alicante Bouschet and 1% Mataro (the old name used in California for Mourvedre). The grapes are grown in three adjoining vineyards, all of which are defined by an ancient washout of the Russian River that carried and deposited gravel and river stones to the site.

95 Points Points Wine & Spirits |  The founding partners at Ridge purchased the MonteBello Winery from Leo and Evelyn Trentadue, who also farmed some of the oldest surviving vines in Sonoma County at their ranch on the Alexander Valley floor near Geyserville. The Old Patch, planted in the 1880s, has provided the base of the blend for Ridge’s single-vineyard wine since 1966. In 2020, it was harvested just as the first fires brokeout generations of vines at the Trentadue’s ranch provided 28 different lots, with John Olney selecting 20 for this wine. He finds that carignan, which makes up 20 percent of the mixed planting (along with small amounts of petite sirah, alicante bouschet and mataro), provides the acidity to refresh the zinfandel, which accounts for 69 percent of the vines. The early harvest produced a ripe, rich Geyserville with racy energy. The dark blueberry flavors are layered with red cherry, their seemingly weightless concentration sustained in a sleek, clean and graceful impression that lasts. A great 2020

Tasting Panel 95 Points | An opulent, charming blend of 69% Zinfandel, 20% Carignane, 8% Petite Sirah, 2% Alicante Bouschet, and 1% Mataro. Ultra-smooth and seamless, with rich flavors of plum and blackberry. Stunning and long, it’s a triumph of winemaking skill.

Wine Spectator 92 Points | Deeply structured and briary, with a mix of red and black fruit accented by licorice, dill and savory underbrush flavors. Finishes with medium-grained tannins. Zinfandel, Carignan, Petite Syrah, Alicante Bouschet and Mataro.

Winemaker Description

It is composed of Chardonnay for elegance and delicacy, Pinot Noir for roundness and structure and Pinot Meunier for fruitiness. Pale gold in color, abundance of delicate bubbles. Floral aromas of fruit with subtle predominance of white fruits: pear, apple, almonds and hazelnuts. Fresh opening, smooth, pleasant and balanced.

This wine is an ideal accompaniment for Breton lobster and cream sauce, sole morel mushrooms, chicken brochettes with citronella. Winemaker Description. 

Expert Reviews

92 Points Tasting Panel | Light golden color and aromas of fresh pear. A charming wine with moderate but firm bubbles and expressive pear and apricot notes. Crisp, tangy, and lively; balanced, juicy, and long.

91 Points James Suckling | Baked peaches, tart tatin, apricot pie and honey. Lemons, too. Medium-bodied with a creamy mousse and vibrant acidity. Pretty pastry notes to close. Drink now.

91 Points Wine Spectator | This fresh, harmonious Champagne is fine and creamy on the palate, offering an appealing range of patisserie apple and pear fruit, pink grapefruit pith, orchard blossom and oyster shell notes. Pinot Noir, Meunier and Chardonnay.

Expert Review - Vintage 2022 

90 Points Wine & Spirits | This is all pear and apple when first poured, with a hint of lemon zest and lees. It’s broad on the palate, with sweet-lemon on the back end and a simple rush of acidity on the finish. A simple and assertive white for prawns. (2022).

90 Points Wine Enthusiast | Pretty classic 100% stainless-steel Willamette Valley Pinot Gris that aged sur lie for four months. Aromas of watermelon drizzled with sea salt, rosemary and pine needles lead to flavors of lime, Marcona almonds and lemony Citra hops. Brisk acidity and a crisp mouthfeel. (2022).

Winemaker Description